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Tourist helicopter crashes in Hudson River in New York City, all 6 on board killed
A tourist helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York City on Thursday afternoon, killing six people, including five members of a Spanish family. This accident has shocked not only America but the entire world.
Complete details of the accident
This helicopter was chartered by ‘New York Helicopters’, in which a pilot, two adults, and three children were on board. As soon as the helicopter took off from Lower Manhattan and covered some distance, it suddenly fell into the Hudson River.
The accident occurred at 3:17 pm when the helicopter fell into the river some distance away from River Drive near Hoboken, New Jersey. The accident happened about 15 minutes after the helicopter took off from the Wall Street Heliport.
Who were the victims?
Those killed included Agustin Escobar, who was an executive at Europe’s renowned automation company Siemens, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children, aged 4, 5, and 11, respectively. Apart from this, the 36-year-old pilot also died on the spot.
The family had come to New York from Barcelona, Spain, where they were spending their holidays.
The horror of the accident
A video of the helicopter crash has surfaced, in which it was seen that the rotor and the main rotor blade of the helicopter’s rear part were missing, and it fell upside down into the water. The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) has started investigating this accident.
When the rescue team reached the spot, the helicopter was lying upside down in the water, and the temperature was only 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Eyewitness accounts
Danny Horbiak, who was watching the accident from her apartment in a nearby building, said, “I heard five or six loud sounds in the sky, which sounded like gunshots. Then I saw pieces falling and saw the helicopter falling straight into the river.”
Eric Campoverde, walking near the scene, said, “The helicopter came down at an angle of 45 degrees, and there was a big splash. It was a terrifying scene.”
Another eyewitness said, “It seemed as if there was an explosion in the sky. The helicopter split into two pieces from the middle, and its rotor went flying away.”
Administration’s reaction
New York Mayor Eric Adams said, “We are very saddened by this tragedy. This is a very sad incident.”
At the same time, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said that the medical center tried its best to save him, but the situation was very serious. He also said that the Jersey City administration was already concerned about the increasing air traffic over the Hudson River and hoped that this accident would now draw attention to these safety issues.
History of the helicopter and causes of the accident
The helicopter that was the victim of the accident was a Bell 206 model and was on its sixth flight that day. This helicopter had been used several times before, and it is believed that a technical fault may be the cause.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are jointly investigating the accident.
Conclusion
This accident is a big shock not only for one family but for the whole world. When a family came to enjoy the holidays with their children, such a horrific incident was waiting for them – the heart trembles just thinking about it.
FAQs
Q1. Where did the helicopter crash?
A1. It crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey.
Q2. Who were the victims of the crash?
A2. A Spanish family of five (two adults and three children) and the pilot.
Q3. What type of helicopter was it?
A3. It was a Bell 206 helicopter.
Q4. What caused the crash?
A4. The cause is under investigation, but witnesses reported missing rotor blades.
Q5. Who is leading the investigation?
A5. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Jersey City Police Department.
